Assassin of Curses: (The Coren Hart Chronicles Book 3) by Jessie Eaker (best novels in english TXT) 📕

fact, you’ll get three a day. It will not be as nice as today’s, but you will not go hungry.”

There were a few more questions in that vein, and she dutifully answered each one until they went silent. Sensing she had satisfied them, Zofie raised her head just a little straighter. “I must go now. Once again, welcome to our little school. Make us all proud. You are dismissed.”

There was a moment of silence, and then the students began to move. Some clustered around the teachers, while others started to make their way out.

I stood and leaned close to Zofie. “You did wonderful.”

She turned to me. “I hope so.”

“Ah, your highness? Coren?” said a new voice. Zofie and I turned to see Maggie approaching us. She had a wide smile and was blushing furiously.

It had only been a couple of months since we last saw her, but she must have had a growth spurt. She was nearly as tall as Zofie now. With her hair pulled into a tight braid, and wearing what appeared to be a new dress, she looked much more mature than the young serving girl that had spilled a cup of ale in my lap on my first visit to the inn.

And with her stood another girl about her age. I did not recognize her, but she appeared to be one of Maggie’s friends. Like Maggie, her brown hair was pulled back in a single braid, although of a more complex braiding. She wore a dress of simple design, which seemed just a tad large for her. It gave her a younger appearance than her friend. She held her clasped hands in front of her but didn’t seem to share Maggie’s nervousness.

“Hello, Maggie.” Zofie smiled.

Maggie bowed her head. “Princess, I had no idea you were who you were when you stayed at our inn. Creator,” she rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe you slept in my bed, and I told you all those things.”

Zofie reached forward and pulled her into a gentle hug. “And I enjoyed every minute of it. Our midnight chat was most enlightening.” And they both giggled. I was going to have to ask Zofie about that one.

Zofie looked over Maggie’s shoulder at the other girl standing there. “And who is your friend?”

Maggie turned to introduce her. “This is Cabrina Bryst, the youngest and only daughter of the Bryst family. One of the other students couldn’t come, so Cabrina took her place.”

I nodded. So this was the one Eallair had mentioned earlier.

Cabrina blushed and gave a formal curtsey. “It is an honor to meet you, Princess Zophia.” She turned to me and gave me another curtsey. “And you too, Sir Coren Hart.”

I returned her greeting with a bow. “We are well met, Mistress Cabrina.” She grinned.

Maggie cleared her throat. “Coren...” She paused a moment. “I guess I should start calling you Sir Hart.”

Zofie laid a gentle hand on Maggie’s arm. “You can call him whatever you want.” She rolled her eyes in my direction. “For myself, I call him different names depending on what trouble he’s gotten himself into.” They exchanged a quick laugh and a knowing look. Something was going on between these two.

“Why don’t we compromise,” I offered. “Just call me Sir Coren.”

Maggie nodded, then stood a little straighter. “Princess Zofie. Sir Coren. I have not properly thanked you for saving me from the slavers. I had nearly given up hope when the two of you showed up.” Maggie looked to Zofie, complete admiration on her face. “And the way you transformed into that griffin... it was so majestic.”

Cabrina leaned toward Maggie and gave her a gentle nudge with her shoulder.

Maggie’s eyes went up. “Oh, yes.” She reached into a pocket in her dress and pulled out two small boxes, each tied with a neat bow: one pink, one blue. She presented them to us on her palms. “Please accept these small tokens of appreciation. I made them myself, so they are not much, but I hope they will please you just a little.”

Zofie smiled warmly. “Maggie, you shouldn’t have.” Zofie reached for hers. “May I open it now.”

Maggie blushed. “If you’re not too embarrassed.”

Zofie shook her head. “For my friends, never.”

I hesitated in reaching for mine. It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate the gift. I was just unsure of protocol. I had never received a gift like this before. I hesitantly reached for it. “Is it all right? I’ve caused your father a lot of trouble over the years.”

Maggie smiled. “Please. This is from me. Not Father. And don’t worry about him. He still hates you.”

“Well then,” I took the small box and opened it.

Zofie and I both saw the contents at the same time. She gasped and pulled out a tightly woven bracelet in shades of pink. It was braided with a beautiful pattern and had a highly polished wooden heart affixed in the middle. I was impressed. It had been done meticulously. Maggie must have worked hard to make it.

For mine, it was of similar design, but was a dark blue, and instead of a heart, had a small white river stone which the color set off nicely. “Thank you. This is a splendid gift.”

Zofie nodded. “Indeed it is.” She held out her wrist to Maggie. “Would you do me the honors? I’ve heard that if a friend ties it on for you, you will be friends forever.”

Maggie blushed again. She took the bracelet and began to tie it around Zofie’s left wrist. “I made Cabrina and myself one too.” Cabrina smiled and held hers up for us to see. Maggie continued, “But I have somehow misplaced mine. I’m sure it will turn up.”

Cabrina stepped forward. “Would you like me to tie yours on, Sir Coren?”

Maggie looked up from her work. “Cabrina helped me with